A real scientist named Dr. Andrew Glikson[4] at the Australian National University took the time to rebut Monckton’s arguments, which is available here[5].

I would point out that “Lord” Monckton is not and never has been a member of the British House of Lords[6], having received zero votes[7] in his latest bid to be included in that body. Nor is he a scientist, instead receiving[8] an undergraduate degree in classics and a diploma in journalism studies.

However, he does have quite a bit to say on the subject of climate science, referring[9] variously to researchers in the field as “liars”, “frauds” and “bed-wetters”.

It is strange that someone that spends so much time hectoring scientists never seems to attend scientific conferences, or have his material published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

It is like someone bragging that they are a better golfer than Tiger Woods without ever entering a tournament.

If Mr. Monckton has such important things to say to the climate researchers of the world, why doesn’t he step off the cloistered speaking circuit and stride into the scientific lion’s den?

After all, science is considerably closer to a blood sport than a cocktail party. People are expected to defend their hypothesis, data and conclusions before the harsh scrutiny of their peers.

I took the liberty of assembling a short list of scientific conferences that Monckton might consider attending this year to demonstrate his superior command of a variety of fields related to climate science:

Monckton has disparaged[11] the “British Antarctic Survey’s implausible finding as to the imagined – and probably imaginary – loss of ice from the West Antarctic ice sheet.” It’s time these know-nothings were given a stern dressing down in front of their peers. Mr. Monckton, you can register for this conference here[10].

Or how about Norway? The International Polar Year Science Conference[12] is being held in Oslo June 8 – 12, 2010. Monckton has regularly berated[11] the world’s scientists for their shoddy work regarding ice extent and decline. This gathering of ill informed and dishonest researchers seems an excellent opportunity for Monckton to set the record straight. Abstracts can be can be submitted here[13]. Applications to attend can be made here[14].

How about submitting his most recent paper[2] for publication in a peer-reviewed publication? While even the most prestigious scientific journals are no doubt populated by comparative dullards, a man of Monckton’s obvious abilities seems to have a moral obligation to demonstrate his superior command of the disparate fields of atmospheric physics, glaciology and dendrochronology.

His latest paper can be submitted to Nature here[15], and to Science here[16].